Former Physician’s Office Employee Pleads Guilty in Fraud Scheme

Memphis, TN – Gloria Harris, 56, of Memphis entered a guilty plea to a charge of bank fraud in connection with the theft of approximately $292,500 from her former employer, Crescent Medical Corporation. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the plea today.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Harris in December of last year. According to the indictment, Harris a former data entry clerk for Crescent, fraudulently obtained $292,500 between January 2016 and March 2017. The indictment alleged that Harris stole checks payable to Crescent and deposited them to bank accounts at Trustmark Bank and Suntrust Bank which she had opened in the name of Crescent without the knowledge of Crescent’s owner, Dr. Ashan Kathawala.

Harris faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment; a one million dollar fine and 5 years supervised release on the bank fraud charge.

Harris is currently scheduled to be sentenced on July 20, 2018 before U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service Economic Crimes Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carroll L. Andre’ III is prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.